Hello, people! Nightlingbolt here! Welcome back to "The ABCs of Natsu and Erza!" Today's letter is N for Nicknames! Well, technically, they're pet names, but you get the idea!

So, does anyone remember the nicknames Natsu and Erza had for each other way way waaaaaaay back in Date? Well, this is pretty much their origin story. In layman's terms, FLUFF OVERLOAD ALERT!

Enjoy~y!

The couple that everyone in Fairy Tail had been rooting for in one way or another had finally gotten together. Yes, friends, Bisca and Alazack were now official.

The guild celebrated with the standard loud noise and copious amounts of alcohol they were well-known for. But that was three weeks ago, and everyone seemed to move on with their lives, having long ago accepted this inevitability.

Currently, Natsu Dragneel and Erza Scarlet just happened to be dining together, the Salamander on a plate of chicken, and the Titania on a slice of her favorite strawberry cake. Neither was oblivious to the fact that Bisca and Alzack were being lovey-dovey towards each other, and one had had enough.

Natsu slammed down the remainder of his chicken, screamed "The hell with this!" and stormed out of the guild, Erza finished the last bite of her cake and followed, ready to make sure he didn't destroy anything in his venting. At least, that's what she would say to anyone who questioned why she and her boyfriend were together.

You read that right, Natsu and Erza are a couple too. They downplayed their relationship, even though the guild at large knew, allowing the occasional tender moment to bleed into their otherwise unchanged dynamic.

"I'm sick and tired of all this mushy bullshit going on with Bisca and Alzack!" declared Natsu once they were away from the guild. "I mean, I feel like I'm on a vehicle when I'm sitting on a barstool!"

"It's not that bad, Natsu," argued Erza. "In fact, I think it's kind of cute."

"Cute," repeated Natsu. "I think your Happy impersonation is cute and I don't make you do it in front of the guild!"

"Okay, Natsu, first of all, that wasn't a Happy impersonation. I was seducing you," said Erza. "Second of all, what do you suggest we do about it? Because I for one am not about to tell Alzack to stop calling Bisca 'Biscuit,' nor am I about to tell Bisca to stop calling Alzack 'Zack-Zack. I do find it grating for long periods, but it's none of our business. That's just how it is."

Natsu seemed to be in deep thought, which made Erza a little nervous. Sure, Natsu was... simple... but if he really thought something through... well, Natsu did his best thinking in battle, and as far as he was concerned, he was at war with Bisca and Alzack.

Two words: Not. Pretty.

"I got it!" bellowed the Dragon Slayer, apparently loudly enough to cause Erza to flinch. "We fight fire with fire!"

"I don't follow," said Erza.

"It's simple! Bisca and Alzack call each other mushy nicknames, right?" said Natsu. "So, what if we called each other mushier names than they did? I mean, I'm talking teeth-falling-out-of-your-mouth-because-they're-so-damn-mushy nicknames!"

Erza gaped at her boyfriend. "I... you..." Eventually, she sighed in defeat. "You are truly adamant about this, aren't you?" she said.

"Aye, sir!" said Natsu cheerfully, causing Erza to shake her head.

"On the other hand, though, maybe this could be a stepping stone in our relationship, ultimately teaching us to open up to each other on a more intimate level," reasoned Erza. "What did you have in mind?"

The Dragon Slayer gave an evil grin and whispered his plans in her ear.

Later, Natsu and Erza had returned to the guild after discussing their plan of attack. Bisca and Alzack were seated at a table right near where Team Natsu usually sat. Gray was busy drinking with Cana while Juvia bore holes into the card mage's skull with her eyes and Lucy made sure Cana didn't drink too much, meaning the couple was all alone.

Eventually, Alzack started whispering sweet nothings in Bisca's ear, punctuating his words by calling her "Biscuit," to which the green-haired sniper responded with coos of "Zack-Zack." It was almost enough to drive Natsu insane, though Erza thought he already was with this plan of his. To his credit, though, it was rather grating now that she took the time to actually listen.

"There they go again," whispered Natsu. "You ready?"

"I don't see why I have to start," whispered Erza. "This was your idea!"

"Well, I ain't starting! Yours sounds weird!"

"Mine sounds weird? You were the one who came up with it!"

"Weird as in mine's a more natural lead-in!"

"Well, I can't read your mind! I'm not Warren, you know!"

"Just say it, dammit!"

Erza sighed. There's just no arguing with a Dragon Slayer, it seems. Clearing her throat, she initiated the conversation. "Honey Dragon?" she said sweetly.

Natsu grinned. So far, so good. "Yes, Baby Red?" he replied in kind.

"Nothing," said Erza. "I was just thinking about how much I love you."

"Really?" said Natsu with feigned interest. "I bet I love you more."

"No, silly! I love you more."

"I love you more."

"No, I love you more."

"I love you more!" Natsu was raising his voice, and Erza had to suppress the urge to facepalm.

"Stop treating this like a competition!" she whispered harshly. "Remember the plan!" Natsu flinched, but he soldiered on as planned, catching a glimpse of an indignant Alzack.

"Tell me, Baby Red," said Natsu, moving in next to Erza. "Do you like when I hug you?" He reached over and hugged the Titania.

Erza was taken aback by her boyfriend's boldness, but she didn't get to be the most feared woman in the country by being slow. "Mm-hmm," she murmured.

"Yeah? How 'bout when I squeeze you?" He squeezed Erza's hips. She gave a slight giggle, but managed to give another "Mm-hmmm..."

"Yeah? How 'bout when I kiss your forehead?" The Dragon Slayer did just that.

"Ooooh, Honey Dragon..." giggled Erza.

Natsu smirked. "You do like that, huh? How about on you nose?" Kiss. "Your ears?" Kiss. Kiss. "Your cheeks?" Kiss kiss. "Your lips?" With that, he captured Erza's lips with his own in a soft, tender kiss, lasting far longer than any of the others.

At that point, the guild's other couple had had enough. "Get a room!" shouted Alzack, storming out of the guild hall with Bisca on his heels.

Natsu pulled away from Erza. "Now you know how the rest of us feel, you jerk!" he yelled. If Alzack had acknowldeged Natsu's comment he sure didn't show signs of it.

Natsu resumed his earlier seat across from Erza. "Heheh, we really showed them, didn't we, Erza?" Erza didn't reply right away, a faint blush still on her face. "What's wrong?" he asked, picking up on his girlfriend's worry.

"You stupid BRATS!" an elderly voice yelled. Before they could react, Natsu and Erza's heads were quickly grasped by a hand each and slammed onto the table.

"Owwwww!" whined Natsu. "What the hell was that for?"

Erza looked up to see who assailed her, only to find Makarov had hopped onto their table, looking none too pleased with her or Natsu. "Master!" she exclaimed.

"Don't give me 'Master!'" the tiny old man shouted. "I can't decide what was more disturbing! That little display you two put on, or the fact that you did it all out of spite!"

"Have you spent five minutes around those guys lately?" asked Natsu indignantly. "It's 'Biscuit' this, 'Zack-Zack' that, and more kisses than a chocolate factory!"

"Well, you're no...!" Makarov stopped mid sentence, took a calming breath, and continued speaking. "You two were no better than them," he said.

"But-!"

"But nothing!" said Makarov sharply. "How Bisca and Alzack express their affection is their own business. Not mine, and definitely not yours!

"Furthermore, the two of you have your own ways of expressing your feelings. I'll be brutally honest – both of you have the subtlety of a ton of bricks. But there are times when you say everything you need to say in little gestures that only you two understand. Without words, your every action conveys feelings of trust, comfort, and especially love. That's why the fact you two are together is so comforting to me."

Natsu had had a smart remark ready before the Wizard Saint's words sank in. Now, all that remained was guilt. "Man, now I feel like a jerk!" he complained.

Erza didn't seem like she was going to say anything. However, she rose from her seat and grabbed Natsu's scarf. "Come on," she ordered. "We are apologizing to Alzack and Bisca immediately!" Without giving Natsu a chance to protest, she grabbed him by the scarf and dragged him off in the direction she thought she saw the two gun mages walking.

Their transgressions forgiven, Natsu and Erza were taking a long walk to clear their heads. Night had long since fallen, but Erza felt safe in the Dragon Slayer's presence. Was this one of those subtleties she and Natsu had that the Master had talked about?

"Well, I guess I'm not doing that again," said Natsu.

"What, pretend to be something you're not just to spite someone?" asked Erza.

"That too," said Natsu. "But I meant calling you embarrassing nicknames. I mean, Gramps was right, wasn't he? We don't need any of that mushy crap to show how we feel. It's enough for me just knowing that we're always there when we need each other."

"I guess," said Erza. "But..." She started to blush.

"But what?"

"I... really liked it when you called me 'Baby Red' and... kissed me all over," Erza admitted sheepishly. "It made me feel so... lovely and beautiful and wanted and... Listen to me, gushing like a giddy schoolgirl!"

"Or Juvia when Gray talks to her," said Natsu snidely.

"That too, I suppose," said Erza with a laugh.

"Well, I'm still not sure we need mushy pet names, but..." Natsu gave his signature grin. "If it works for you, then I don't mind being your Honey Dragon!"

"Only if I get to be your Baby Red," said Erza sweetly.

"Well, duh," said Natsu. With that simple statement, he pulled Erza in for a kiss.

Unbeknownst to the two of them, Makarov was watching them with a smile. Obviously, they'd learned a little something about themselves tonight.

...

Okay, guys, I'm not gonna lie. There were times when I thought I couldn't bring myself to write the lovey-dovey scene, so it might feel a little forced. Also, for those saying Natsu didn't back down quickly enough (because inevitably, someone will say it), we all know Natsu doesn't back down from his goals that easily.

I've been playing through Pokemon Black again, and it occurred to me that in some ways, Natsu would make a perfect N. A naive view of the world but wise when it counts, and steadfast in his goals and beliefs, not to mention his nakama power with Pokemon. I dunno, would any Pokemon/Fairy Tail fans be interested in seeing me recreate the final battle at N's Castle with Natsu as N and Erza as Hilda? Just a thought.

I'm currently mulling around ideas for a BixlowxLisanna story (since apparently, that's what my fans want more than anything else), but I would actually enjoy collaborating with someone who can write Lisanna pretty well. I think I've got a general idea of Bixlow's character, but poor Lisanna got little to no focus after coming back from Edolas. Eh, whatever, I'll shut up with my ramblings. Still, any good Lisanna writers out there, lemme know if you want to work something out.

So I guess that's it until next time, so peace and love from Nightlingbolt. Bye-bye, and have a wonderful day.